Contents

Description

APC switches have the same approximate shell design as other four-tab clone switches. Internally they are very similar to other Alps clone switches, with the current generation of switches using the same narrow copper-based click leaf.

According to Tai-Hao, the APC series was introduced a year or two after Tai-Hao Aruz,[1] which has a confirmed sighting of 1989. It was previously misunderstood that the APC series was introduced in 1984 or 1985, but 1990 or 1991 is consistent with the apparent appearance of Alps clone switches around this time.

The contact design of APC is derived from that of the Aruz switch. It remains uncertain whether Hua-Jie AK series or Tai-Hao APC series arrived first; it is however confirmed that Himake were involved with the Aruz switch, and both switch series started out extremely similar.

Variants

Branded

Branded "APC"; white slider; clicky; extremely similar to the unbranded Type IV simplified with a wide steel click leaf.[3] Likely to be discontinued variants within the APC range.

A Packintell Electronics–branded Key Mouse keyboard registered with the FCC in 1989 has been found with a mixture of branded and unbranded switches, giving a rough idea of when the branding was removed.[4] The keyboard's manufacture date is not known.

Unbranded

These are the production switches. All switches have the typical narrow copper-based click leaf. The only known tactile variant (BSW 045WHN) uses a modified click leaf with shallower angles on the hooks to allow the slider to pass without generating a click.

Presently (July 2017) only three switch types are in active production, two standard weight types for keyboards and one heavy weight for machinery; other types can still be manufactured on request.[5] BSW 280WH was previously blue-green, but is currently vivid "neon" green, and is available for sale and was included in a group buy at Reddit.[6] BSW 055WH was previously teal or dark blue, but is now made in the sky blue colour formerly used by BSW 045WH. Likewise, BSW 065WHN is white, while previously it was listed as black.

BSW 045WH

Assorted

Disassembled, top views

Disassembled, bottom views

BSW 045WHN

BSW 045WHN is a 45 g tactile switch. Tactility is achieved by straightening the hooks on the click leaf, such that the slider passes it without pulling it forward. This gives a level of tactility somewhere in the region of half of that of Cherry MX Brown, and the switch does not click. In contrast, SMK second generation switches achieved the same effect by chamfering the slider and using a virtually identical click leaf to that found in their clicky switches.